Time for Hillary, Edwards, and Obama to “Grow a Pair” on GLBT Issues

Posted on February 15, 2007
| buzz-it! | Huff it!

I’m no more homophobic than the next gay man — that is to say, while I’ve internalized the negative and stereotypical images and language that I’ve been exposed to all of my life, I have the intellect and the discipline to compartmentalize and not to be defined by them. I truly and fully embrace my gay identity, including traits that apply more particularly to my group. My identity is drawn from the richness of all human experience as well as the richness of glbt experiences. In the larger world, I can feel connected to Olympic athletes, missing children, soldiers in battle, breast cancer patients and American Idol contestants without living their experiences. Likewise, I can feel connected to Log Cabin Republicans, drag queens, and lesbian moms. I have an additional, particular connection with the second group: we all have had to find our own ways in understanding gender and human sexuality.

It’s time to help the population at large to understand the interconnectedness of all humanity and how the experience of one group can inform many.

This is not the work for politicians or one political party. This kind of change in the zeitgeist has to be accomplished at many levels. Hollywood, when at it’s best, has begun to normalize the treatment of gay and lesbian subjects, producing both gay-themed programming, as well as including gays and lesbians in ensemble shows. They’re far from perfect, but they’ve made huge improvements and have provided the most visible positive images mainstream America has seen.

Additionally we have to do what we can, ourselves. The most effective way is for all glbt folks to come out, to make ourselves known. We don’t have to behave any certain way — act normal — whatever that is. In a perfect world, if everyone were out, we would demonstrate a diversity that reflects the other demographics we also belong to. It would never be a question of how gay folks “act.” It would be easy to see we’re just as boring or fun as everyone else.

I say it is not up to the politicians, but each could do better. It’s pretty easy to argue that glbt equal rights is the most needful civil rights issue of our times. All other groups deserve fairness as well, but glbt people are the folks against whom it is still legal and accepted in many circles to openly discriminate and to express open hostility.

Certainly all the Democratic frontrunners give lip-service to the idea that glbt folks should be treated equally under the law — but with caveats. It’s time for some real leadership from these would-be leaders. It’s time to lose the qualified support and offer some real support. It’s not too different from a call for all glbts to come out. In this case, if all these politicians would say aloud what they already know, they each provide political cover for all.

How refreshing it would be if just one candidate, male or female, behaved as if they had some balls.